Portable derrick



Oct. 12, 1943. J. McEWEN 2,331,559

PORTABLE DERRICK Filed July 26, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 g. F I Q 2 v m L: Q g .0

0 N IQ swam/tom JOHNMCEWEN Get. 12, 1943. J. McEWEN 2,331,559

PORTABLE DERRICK Filed July 26, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 152, 1943.

.22 I 20 ll 1) 20 a F Z0 '24 24 J. M EWEN PORTABLE DERRICK Filed July 26, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 grvue/wto'b JOH MEws- Patented Oct. 12, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PORTABLE DERRICK John McEwen, Los Angeles, Callf assignor to International-Stacey Corporation, Columbus, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application July 26, 1941, Serial No. 404,194

7 Claims.

This invention relates generally to oil field equipment and is particularly directed to portable derrick means for use in drilling and pumping wells, drilling test bores and pulling casings, rods and tubing from previously drilled wells.

.The present invention is specifically directed to improvements in portable derricks of the type shown in the co-pending application to John McEwen and John P. Selberg, Portable derrick, Serial No. 378,924 filed February 14, 1941 wherein a mobile support is provided with a pair of telescoping derrick sections mounted for movement between horizontal and upright positions, the inner section being movable within the outer section between retracted and extended positions.

When in the latter position, the sections provide a strong, rigid derrick structure of suitable height and when in the retracted'horizontal position, it may be quickly and easily transported from one well location to another.

One of the primary objects of this invention resides in the provision of efficient, economical means for swinging the derrick sections between horizontal and upright position and moving the inner section to an extended working position quickly and easily.

Another object rests in providing the derrick with means for locking the sections in telescoped condition during the time the derrick is in a horizontal position and while it is being moved between horizontal and upright position, additional means being provided to automatically efiect the release of the locking means after the sections have reached an upright position. Through the use of the locking means, a single, relatively small, power operated winch may be employed to move and extend the derrick sections to a working position, the locking means also serving to prevent injury to the apparatus during the return of the sections to transporting positions.

A further object resides in providing one of the sections of a telescoping pivoted type of derrick with movable locking elements formed and disposed for insertion into recesses provided in the other section, the elements, when so positioned, serving to prevent relative longitudinal movement between the sections, means also being provided to eifect the withdrawal of the elements from the recesses when the proper time arrives for relative movement between the sections, said means engaging the mobile support for the derrick when the sections reach a substantially upright position.

For a further understanding of the invention,

reference is to be had to the following description derrick provided with interlocking means forming the subject matter of this invention, the derrick being shown in a collapsed condition for transportation;

Fig. 2 is a detail vertical sectional view taken through the lower portion of the derrick on the plane indicated by the line II.II of Fig. 1, this view showing the interlocking means operatively positioned for retaining the telescoped derrick sections against relative longitudinal movement;

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view, partly in horizontal section, taken through the lower portion of the derrick after it has been moved to an upright position, the interlocking means being retracted, the rear portion of the mobile support and the bumper mechanism provided in connection therewith also being shown;

Fig. 4 is a detail vertical longitudinal sectional view taken through the bumper means and the lower portion of the derrick while in engagement therewith in this figure, the parts illustrated are shown in their normal positions when the derrick sections are elevated.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken through the comer legs of the derrick section showing a modified type of locking means in connection therewith;

Fig. 6 is a front elevational view means shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view disclosing the derrick when in its upright or extended position;

Fig. 8 is an end elevational view of the derrick;

Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the plane indicated by the line IX-IV of Fig. 7.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral I designates the tractor unit used to efiect the movement of the portable derrick from one well location to another. The rear portion of the unit I supports the forward portion of a semitrailer 2 on which the derrick 31s supported. The unit 2 includes side frames 4 which are connected at their rear ends by a transversely extending frame bar 5. A plurality of longitudinally extending supplemental channels 6 are provided with the trailer frame, these and the channels 4 cooperating to support an engine I and rotary drawworks 8. The trailer is provided adof the locking jacent to the drawworks with a relatively small power operated winch 9, this device'being employed to move the derrick sections between transporting and operating positions. The rear ends of the channels 4 have upright standards It rigidly secured thereto, the upper ends of these members being directed laterally beyond the rear end of the trailer as at H. These lateral extensionsrecelve a shaft I! which serves as a pivotal support for the derrick 3, the shaft being horizontally positioned to provide a horizontal axis of rotation for the derrick.

The derrick proper includes a pair of sections l3 and [4, the latter being disposed within the "formerfor telescoping movement relative thereto.

Each section includes corner legs l5 formed from structural angles which are joined on three sides by girt and truss members [6 and I1, these memis in a horizontal position. This end of the derrick forms the lower end when the derrick has been elevated to an upright position, the corner legs being provided with adjustable feet 2| for engagement with a foundation after the derrick has been raised. The gusset plates 20 receive the shaft l2, suitable bearing means being provided between the plates and the shaft to permit the derrick to be swung about the axis of the shaft when being set up or dismantled.

To effect the movement of the derrick, a cable 22 is connected at one end to the drum of the winch 9 and is trained around pulleys 23 at the lower rear end of the trailer vehicle. The cable is then trained around a pulley 24 secured to the outer side of the outer derrick section and is then conducted to the upper end of this section where it is trained around another pulley 25 and is then extended toward the lower end of the derrick to be passed around pulley means 26 journaled at the lower end of the inner derrick section. The free end of the cable is fastened to the upper end of the outer derrick section on the side opposite that illustrated in Fig. 1, as at 26' in Fig. 8.

By this arrangement, rotation of the drum on the winch 8 causes the effective length of the cable 22 to beshortened and results in imparting movement to the derrick or parts thereof. If no further means were provided, the inner derrick section would be moved out of the outer section while these sections remained in.a horizontal condition. It is therefore necessary to preclude relative movement between the sections until the derrick has been moved to an upright position. To prevent movement between the derrick sections, the lower end portion of the outer section has a plate 21 and a pair of guide brack ets 28, the latter being disposed adjacent to the rear corner legs as disclosed in Fig. 2. The brackets 28 slidably receive locking pins 29 which are pivotally connected as at 30 to the outer ends of rods 3|. The inner ends of the latter mem- The clevis is secured to one end of a plunger 40 mounted for sliding movement in guide means 4| carried by the lower end of the outer derrick section. A coil spring 42 surrounds the plunger and is confined between a shoulder 43 on the plunger and one section of the guide 4|. This spring serves to move the plunger to an extended position and at the same time moves the bell cranks to cause the locking pins 29 to project beyond the outer ends of the brackets 28. When the derrick sections are fully collapsed and the locking pins are so projected, the latter will extend through registering openings formed in locking plates 44 secured to the corner legs of the derrick sections. a

While the locking pins extend through the plates, the derrick sections will be precluded from moving longitudinally relative to one another and when they are so locked, power applied to the winch 9 to shorten the cable 22 will cause the derrick to pivot about the shaft l2 and move from the horizontal position shown in Fig. 1 to an upright position. Immediately prior to reaching the latter position, a transversely extending bar 45 secured to the rear angles of the outer derrick section will engage a springpressed bumper bar supported at the rear end of the trailer. This bar is secured to a pair of tubular elements 41 arranged to telescope a pair of similar elements 48 welded to the supplemental channels 6 of the trailer frame. Springs 49 are disposed between the inner ends of the elements 41 and 48 to resist the movement of the former into the latter. The construction of the bumper mechanism has been illustrated in detail in the co-pending application set forth above.

After the bar 45 has engaged the bumper, continued movement will compress springs 49 and the derrick will move to a position slightly beyond the true vertical position. At this time, the operator through rotation of a hand crank will'impart rotary movement to a sleeve 5| journaled between the frame bar 5 and a second bar 52 on the trailer. Rotation of the sleeve imparts similar movement to a nut 53 disposed therein,

moving the nut into engagement with a ferrule 54 rigidly carried by the frame bar 5. The nut 53 is adjustably positioned on a threaded bar 55 which is secured at one end to the bumper bar 46 and extends through the ferrule into the sleeve 5|. When the nut has been moved into engagement with the ferrule, the bumper will be prevented from moving under the influence oi the springs 49 and the derrick will remain upright.

After the bar 45 has engaged the bumper and the latter is being moved, the outer end of the plunger 40 will engage a stop angle 58 depending from the frame bar 5. The continued movement of the derrick forces the plunger against the opposition of the spring 42 causing the bell cranks 35 to move about their pivots to effect the withdrawal of the locking pins 29 from the openings in the plates 44. These pins will then be in the position illustrated in Fig. 3 wherein the inner derrick section will be free to move longitudinally. After the lock for the bumper has been set, the winch 9 may be operated to continue winding the cable and the inner derrick section will then be moved to an extended position. The inner section may be retained in its extended position through any suitable means such as the latch means shown in the above set forth co-pending application.

Upon the termination of the use of the derrick,

the sections may be collapsed and swung to a horizontal. position for transportation to a new location.'- To eilect this collapse, the latching means used to hold the inner derrick section extended is released. The weight of this section will withdraw the cable 22 from the winch until the inner section ha been completely telescoped in the outer section.. When the ection reaches this position, the openings in the plates 44 will again be registered and when the bumper lock is released by turning the sleeve to move the nut 53 from the ferrule 54, the bumper will move the derrick from the end bar of the trailer and this movement will release the plunger 40, permitting the spring 42 to project the pins 29 through the openings in the plate 44. The derrick sections will then be locked in their relative longitudinal positions and will move as a unit from the upright to the horizontal position. If the locking means were not provided, the weight of the derrick as it swings from upright to horizontal positions would be sufllcient to effect the movement of the inner derrick section to an extended position, even if the rotation of the winch were controlled. When the sections are locked and braking forces are applied to the winch, the descent of the derrick may be controlled.

The locking means may be modified as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 wherein the sliding bolts are replaced by pivoted levers 51. A difierent type bracket 58 is employed to support the levers 51 connected with the outer ends of the rods' 3|. The outer end portions of the lever 51 are arranged to be inserted in registering slots 59 which are formed in plates 60 welded or otherwise secured to the angles of the derrick sections. The plate 60 carried by the inner derrick section is beveled at its lower end as at 6| to effect the pivotal movement of the lever 51 when the inner derrick moves to its retracted position and the levers are not in condition of release. The other elements of the interlocking devices may be similarly modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a derrick of the type having a pair of telescoping sections mounted for pivotal movement between horizontal and upright positions, means for moving said sections between said positions, said means also serving to move the inner section longitudinally relative to the outer section, interengaging means provided on said sections to lock the same in telescoped condi-- tion, and means for releasing said interlocking means when said sections are in a substantially upright position.

2. In a derrick of the type having a pair of telescoping sections mounted for pivotal movement between horizontal and upright positions, means for moving said sections between said positions, said means also serving to move the inner section longitudinally relative to the outer section, movable locking members carried by one of said sections, said members being formed for insertion into recesses provided in the other section when said sections are in a fully telescoped condition, means for withdrawing said members from the recesses, said mean being operated when said sections approach a substantially upright position.

3. In a portable derrick of the type having a mobile support, a primary derrick section mounted for pivotal movement between horizontal and upright positions on said support, and a secondary derrick section disposed within said primary section for longitudinal movement therein; yieldable bumper means on said support for engaging the derrick immediately prior to the-termination of movement thereof toward an upright position, locking means carried by one of said sections to retain the sections in a telescoped condition during movement between horizontal and upright positions, and means engageable with said support after aid sections engage said bumper to release said locking means.

4. In a portable derrick of the type having a mobile support and a derrick pivotally supported thereon for movement between horizontal and upright positions, said derrick having telescopic sections, means for retaining said sections 'in telescoped condition while horizontal and during movementto and from an upright position comprising perforated lock plates secured to the derrick sections in registering order when said sections are telescoped, bracket means carried by one of said sections, locking members movably carried by said bracket means, said members being receivable by the perforations in said plates when the latter are in positions of registration, spring-pressed means normally tending to hold said locking members inserted in said plates, and means engageable with said support when said derrick approaches an upright position to eifect the withdrawal of said members from the perforations in said plates.

5. In a portable derrick of the type having a mobile support and a derrick pivotally supported thereon for movement between horizontal and upright positions, .said derrick having telescopic sections, means for retaining said sections in telescoped condition while horizontal and during movement to and from an upright position comprising perforated lock plates secured to the derrick sections in registering order when said sections are telescoped, bracket means carried by one of said sections, locking member movably carried by said bracket means, said members being receivable by the perforations in said plates when the latter are in positions of registration, pivoted bell crank lever means carried by the derrick adjacent to said bracket means, means for connecting said locking members to said bell crank levers, and a spring-pressed plunger engaging said bell crank levers and transmitting motion thereto, the movement of said plunger in response to the force of its spring serving to yieldably hold said locking members in the perforations in said plates, movement of said plunger in the opposite direction serving to withdraw said members and permit relative longitudinal movement between said derrick sections.

6.- In a portable derrick of the type having a mobile support and a derrick pivotally supported thereon ,for movement between horizontal and upright positions, said derrick having telescopic sections, mean for retaining said sections in telescoped condition while horizontal and during movement to and from an upright position comprising perforated lock plates secured to the derrick sections in registering order when said sections are telescoped, bracket means carried by one of said sections, locking pins slidably positioned in said bracket means, said pins being receivable by perforations in said plates when the latter are in positions of registration, pivoted bell crank lever means mounted on said derrick adjacent to said bracket means, connecting rods joined at their ends. with the locking pins and positions of transport and upright positions of operation, one of said derrick sections being longitudinally extensible with respect to the other,

derrick sections bodily when in non-extended relation about said axis between substantially horizontal and vertical positions and for effecting longitudinal movement of the extensible section when said sections occupy upright positions, latching mechanism for retaining said sections against relative longitudinal movement when winch-actuated cable means for swinging said l5 said sections are being moved between their horizontal and upright positions, and means operative automatically for releasing said latchin mechanism to provide for longitudinal movement of the extensible section by the operation 01 said cable means only when said sections occupy their upright positions.

JOHN MCEW'EN. 

